Rankin hamstrung in Test debut

England's Boyd Rankin had a horror Test debut with a hamstring injury forcing him from the field twice in the final Ashes Test against Australia on Friday.

The giant Irish-born paceman could only send down 8.2 overs before he limped from the Sydney cricket ground late in the opening day.

Rankin, 29, who replaced Tim Bresnan in one of three English changes from the side beaten by eight wickets in the fourth Melbourne Test, bowled one ball in his ninth over before he came off for treatment before tea.

He later returned to the field and bowled just one more delivery before again pulling up short. He trudged from the field, reducing the tourists to just three front-line fast bowlers and tyro leg-spinner Scott Borthwick.

Rankin's injury setback heaped further pressure on Alastair Cook's squad, who are battling to avoid the ignominy of a 5-0 series whitewash by the Australians.

Cook had early success after winning his first toss of the series, sending the home side into bat and reducing Australia to 97 for five before Brad Haddin and Steve Smith restored the innings with a 128-run sixth-wicket stand.

Cricket Australia High performance director, Pat Howard has candidly admitted that he took a back-seat and allowed Darren Lehmann, the coach of the Australian team to implement his ideas during the recently concluded Ashes series.